Monday, December 1, 2008

Controlling Your Cholesterol Levels

By Ned Dagostino

It is common knowledge that high cholesterol levels in the blood can cause a number of health problems, some of a very serious nature. It is in your own interest to reduce the level of blood cholesterol.

There is good cholesterol and there is bad cholesterol. The good cholesterol is called HDL and is required for healthy tissue growth and general health. The bad cholesterol is called LDL and accelerates tissue degeneration, leading to general poor health and some specifically dangerous conditions. The body itself regulates the level of both these types of cholesterol in the blood. You can unknowingly work against the body in this critical function and fall into the clutches of various real dangerous illnesses, or you can choose to act wisely and help the body to regulate these substances so that you are healthy naturally.

Is a high level of cholesterol a disease in itself? No, it is not. A high level of bad cholesterol in the blood causes tissue degeneration and accumulation of fatty substances in the body. The arteries are most prone to the effect of high cholesterol levels. They become hard, and they get coated with a fatty substance from inside. This constricts the flow of blood in the body, which in turn, leads to high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. If you are a patient of any of these diseases then you should learn how to cut down the level of bad cholesterol. It's easy, as easy as 1, 2, 3! Read on and you'll see how.

The body regulates the level of cholesterol in the blood. As long as this regulation proceeds as required, there is no problem. There are times when this regulation fails. There are two common situations which lead to such failure. One is when we overdose the body with bad cholesterol. How? By eating of course! Oils, fats, animal produce, and some substances like sodium lead to a build up of bad cholesterol in the blood. Keep these villains off your diet and the bad cholesterol will drop back to normal level.

The second situation is an inactive lifestyle. If you are serious about controlling the level of bad cholesterol in your blood, then you should make it a point of exercising regularly. Thirty minutes of exercise is what the American Heart Association advises. Choose the form of exercise that suits you and your lifestyle best. Cycling, dancing, aerobics, walking, jogging, and swimming are all pleasant forms of exercise. Do these regularly as part of your normal routine, and watch those cholesterol levels drop!

A secondary cause of high cholesterol is smoking. Smoking raises the level of cholesterol in the blood. Even second hand smoke is harmful in this respect. So, if you do have a high cholesterol level, reduce or stop smoking, and avoid those places where there is a lot of second hand smoke.

Hereditary and genetic factors may also be the prime cause of high cholesterol levels in the blood. Sometimes it's not what you eat that causes high cholesterol levels. It's just the way you're built that does it! The body has natural mechanisms to control cholesterol. If these mechanisms misoperate then you're going to see high cholesterol levels in your blood. Consult your physician and he will prescribe appropriate medication which suits your personal requirements.

Excessive levels of LDL in the bloodstream can have dire consequences on your health, your lifestyle, and your longevity. Before you are forced to make drastic changes in your lifestyle by your doctor, it is better that you prevent the situation from getting out of hand while you can do so at your convenience. You may have to alter or moderate your lifestyle a bit now. Make exercise a part of your schedule. Go easy on fats and animal produce. Don't smoke. Choose good health over bad health - keep those LDL levels in check!

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